2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[cjeter24]

I'd happily take my chances with the Luka/Simmons pick & roll surrounded by shooters. Honestly, being on a team like Dallas with a clear alpha ballhandler might be the best thing for Simmons long term to force him to rethink his game. IMO his future is at forward.

I can buy that take. Basically take him and change his role. 
Another concerning thing on Simmons. He's only played 15 more games than KP the last 2 years. He seems to a constantly injured guy as well. 

If Sixers lose this series, you have to think Simmons may finally get traded tho. 

Or Harris maybe. Or Both.

[KillerLeft]

So basically you are saying that he's not a ball handler but a center... 
that's radically different that what he actually does tho. 

He's a ball-handler in transition, FOR SURE. 

He could make plays on the short roll that make me drool thinking about them. 

He could absolutely feast on the 4 on 3's created when Luka gets trapped, much different than when Embiid gets doubled down low. 

He would single-handedly raise the level of the defense SIGNIFICANTLY. 

I think he is miscast as the MAIN ball-handler on a team, as is Giannis. As long as HE has realized that, I'd be ALL FOR carving a role out for him here with Luka, and I don't think it would be that difficult.

[SwisherPrice]

The lack of shooting is just too much of a risk. It's one thing to be a Dwight Powell-level shooter. It's another thing to be a Ben Simmons-level shooter.

I would think the good defenses would find a way to exploit that...and then when all else fails, send him to the FT line

[KillerLeft]

and then when all else fails, send him to the FT line

THAT bothers me...the lack of outside shooting does not. Powell never shoots, either, so it doesn't matter that he's better at it than Simmons. The positives Simmons brings are MORE than worth planning around his inability to space the floor. Just make sure the ball never touches his hands on the perimeter in the half court. It's doable, and not all that different from how they would've used Giannis, imo. 

Now...the free throw shooting? With Luka? That's a valid point, especially if it affects the level of physicality he plays with (trying to avoid going to the line), but I'm still game.

[Mavs2021]

The lack of shooting is just too much of a risk. It's one thing to be a Dwight Powell-level shooter. It's another thing to be a Ben Simmons-level shooter.

I would think the good defenses would find a way to exploit that...and then when all else fails, send him to the FT line

Is the pressure of possibly being selected as the next Mavs GM by Cuban already getting to some users?

[cjeter24]

He's a ball-handler in transition, FOR SURE. 

He could make plays on the short roll that make me drool thinking about them. 

He could absolutely feast on the 4 on 3's created when Luka gets trapped, much different than when Embiid gets doubled down low. 

He would single-handedly raise the level of the defense SIGNIFICANTLY. 

I think he is miscast as the MAIN ball-handler on a team, as is Giannis. As long as HE has realized that, I'd be ALL FOR carving a role out for him here with Luka, and I don't think it would be that difficult.

Some good points. I'm fascinated to see if he finally gets traded this summer. Don't think it'll be to the Mavs if he is but I'd like to see how he does on another team.

[Tyler]

I would think the good defenses would find a way to exploit that...and then when all else fails, send him to the FT line

Considering that Dallas was able to turn DeAndre Jordan into a 70% FT shooter, I have a feeling they'd figure things out with Simmons.

[KillerLeft]

Considering that Dallas was able to turn DeAndre Jordan into a 70% FT shooter, I have a feeling they'd figure things out with Simmons.

Maybe they should concentrate on Luka, first?

[Kammrath]

He would single-handedly raise the level of the defense SIGNIFICANTLY.

IMO Simmons is THE best defender in the league when locked in. You take that 100 times out of 100 if you can.

[Mavs2021]

IMO Simmons is THE best defender in the league when locked in. You take that 100 times out of 100 if you can.

I wonder what would happen, if you paired the best offensive player with the best defensive player in the league for a decade..

[SleepingHero]

Got to ask after tonight.....


Would you do KP for Simmons? I'm not sure if I would. I honestly don't know how to use a guy who won't shoot.

I'd do that trade every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Simmons would be exactly what we're looking for. A switchable forward that can guard 1-5, and can also successfully run an offense on the other side of the court. His individual offense is disappointing, but it wouldn't matter if he plays in the right role (which I don't think is happening in Philly). 

The only disappointing thing is that KP isn't the guy they're looking for. Maybe we can get creative in some 3 team trade...?

[KillerLeft]

I'd do that trade every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Simmons would be exactly what we're looking for. A switchable forward that can guard 1-5, and can also successfully run an offense on the other side of the court. His individual offense is disappointing, but it wouldn't matter if he plays in the right role (which I don't think is happening in Philly). 

The only disappointing thing is that KP isn't the guy they're looking for. Maybe we can get creative in some 3 team trade...?

[Tyler]

The only disappointing thing is that KP isn't the guy they're looking for.

I actually think KP would be a really interesting fit next to Embiid. KP could space the floor and help on defense, and Embiid would be the beef to take the physical pressure off of KP down low. Harris could then slide to the 3 with no problem once Simmons is out and they can finally play 2 real guards. 

My off-the-cuff trade idea is Simmons for KP/Brunson. Brunson is a perfect fit for Philly -- a good young PG and a local 'Nova hero with Bird rights. Him + KP would be a nice way to make over the team with more offense if that's the goal. And Dallas would get the second star / defensive stopper / secondary playmaker they're always looking for.

[KillerLeft]

I actually think KP would be a really interesting fit next to Embiid.

[IamDougieFresh]

Every player in the Jazz starting lineup would be the second best player on our roster... makes me sick

[Scott41theMavs]

Every player in the Jazz starting lineup would be the second best player on our roster... makes me sick

Roster-building help is on the way! 

(maybe)

[IamDougieFresh]

Actually KP and Rudy have similar uselessness

[Tyler]

Actually KP and Rudy have similar uselessness

KP for the reigning and 3-time DPOY confirmed.

[cow]

I'd take Simmons on this team as he's one of the better Luka defenders in the league.

[Branduil]

https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1405353771526332416

There is no way I'm touching Simmons with a 10-foot pole. This isn't a one-time thing, every single year he disappears in the playoffs when defenses lock down in transition and force the half-court game. It doesn't matter who his teammates is, who is coach is, you can count on him to disappear when it matters because he can. not. do. anything. in the half-court offense. He can't shoot, he can't post-up, he can't hit free throws. Just a free invite to double off of him.

Really the worst thing is that he won't even address the problem. Like, as much as we criticize KP, and rightfully so, imagine if he pretended there was no problem, that it didn't matter that he lacked fundamental basketball skills? As far as anyone can tell, he makes zero effort to fix this. He's still the same non-shooter as when he came into the league.